Unfair to compare Rishabh Pant with MS Dhoni: India bowling coach Bharat Arun

New Delhi: India bowling coach Bharat Arun on Tuesday defended under-fire Rishabh Pant, saying it is unfair to compare the young wicket-keeper batsman with the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Delhi boy Pant faced criticism after a shoddy job behind the stumps during the fourth ODI in Mohali on Sunday.

“Unfair to compare Pant and Dhoni. Dhoni is legend, his work behind the stumps is exemplary. When Virat needs someone to talk to, he is a huge influence on the team,” said Arun ahead of the series decider here Wednesday.

Arun was all praise for all-rounder Vijay Shankar, who has become a serious contender for a World Cup spot with some standout performances with both bat and ball. “Vijay has gained in confidence. He has batted brilliantly at (different) positions given to him. He bated at number four, six and seven. The confidence he has gained with his bating is rubbing onto his bowling as well. He was bowling at 120-125, now he is touching 130. He is a huge positive for the team,” added Arun.

‘Solidarity with Army’

The Indian cricket team wanted to show “solidarity” with the country’s Army in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, bowling coach Bharat Arun said defending the decision to wear camouflage military caps during the third ODI in Ranchi.

All the Indian players came out wearing the caps handed over to them by former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Territorial Army.

“We did what we really felt, we needed to do it for the country, in solidarity with what Army has done for the country. In some we wanted to show we appreciate the cause,” Arun said on the eve of the fifth and final ODI.

The gesture was not well received by the Pakistani politicians, who demanded an ICC action, calling it politicisation of the game. “It’s beyond us what PCB is saying, beyond our control. The BCCI has done well to take permission from the ICC,” Arun said.